A Mind to Work

In all of my years of church work, I have never seen anything that compared to the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated yesterday. I have been in congregations where we have pleaded and begged for members to come out and help with one project or another only to see a handful on the work day.

In Nehemiah 4:6, the children of Israel were commended because the people had a mind to work. It could easily be said of the Spring Meadows Church of Christ that the people had a mind to work. I have to admit however that there were people just standing around yesterday. There were a number of reasons they were standing, but none of them had anything to do with apathy or laziness. Here are a few of my observations:

• There were often more workers than there was work to do. People were standing and asking for something to do, but all the jobs were taken.
• Members of the body were spending time in genuine Christian fellowship. Not just talking about the latest soap opera or their favorite recipe, but talking about the work of the church. I heard discussions about Bible classes, how to use our resources and ways we could reach the community.
• Some of us were just standing in AWE. God is powerful. God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). God is working through his people in Spring Hill, TN.

What a day of rejoicing we all enjoyed yesterday. There is a spirit and warmth that I have never experienced any other place. What a blessing it is to be among a people who have a mind to work.